I have no idea where I heard this song since I don't listen to mainstream radio, but I can't get it out of my head and now I'm sharing it with you. You're welcome! Have a great day!
P.S. Tomorrow is FINALLY Friday!!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Spring Read Thing 2011
Can you believe that it's Spring already? In Florida, we had "Winter" (cooler weather--in the 50s) for a few weeks over the past couple of months, but we've completely skipped the Spring weather and moved to Summer. In fact, we were in the high 80's this weekend, with no relief in sight. Yippee. (Yes, that is said with lots of sarcasm.)
In any case, Spring Break is still over a month away and I have a pile of books that I want to read before we enter the true Summer season. Thankfully, Katrina over at Callapidder Days is hosting the Spring Read Thing 2011, which means I can put my plan into action. (Yes, I fell on my face in the Fall because I didn't write a wrap-up post, but that's okay because this is a low-pressure reading goal.)
Here are some of the books I would like to read between March 20 and June 20, 2011:
The Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter
I requested to review this title. Cowboy's are the "in" topic for reading this year, and since I'm a cowgirl at heart (hey, I was born in Texas)I can't wait to read about this Cowboy.
The Reluctant Detective by Martha Ockley
I requested to review this book because I am a sucker for mysteries. I love learning about all of the investigating techniques no matter what the time-period. I blame it all on Nancy Drew.
Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn
I won this book to review through LibraryThing and it has a ton of action and suspense in it. It seems to be mixture of the movies Sahara and National Treasure.
Beneath a Starlet Sky by Amanda Goldberg and Ruthanna Khalighi Hopper
I won this book to review through GoodReads. It's not my normal style of reading which is exactly why I signed up for it.
Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2) by Ronie Kendig
I won this book in a giveaway from Dineen Miller's blog. I LOVED the first book in the Discarded Heroes series, but this one is about my favorite character from that book-"Cowboy."
I Dare You: Embrace Life with Passion by Joyce Meyer
I started this book awhile back, but I haven't made it very far. You see, I suffer from bouts of depression and I thought this book might be an excellent jump-start to get myself out of the funk I'm in when I start feeling depressed. Needless to say, I don't feel much like reading when I'm in that phase, so I haven't made it too far on this book. My hope is that I can put this funk behind me and learn from the principles Joyce Meyers writes. After all, I am an adventurous person and I do want to "embrace life."
Powers (#2)by John B. Olsen
I won this book to review through LibraryThing, but since it's book #2 in the series, I felt I needed to purchase book #1 and read them in order.
Shade (#1)by John B. Olsen
Book #1 in the series, the cover looks interesting so I think it may be a good book. At least I hope, especially since I need to read and review book #2.
Feng Shui for You and Your Cat by Alison Daniels
Don't even start me on this one. It was a Christmas present several years ago and since I will have to move over the summer (rent is going up too high), I thought it might be interesting to see what the Eastern cultures have to say about placement of items in the home.
Angel by James Patterson
The Maximum Ride series started off pretty good, but since Patterson has teamed up with other writers, it's kind of gone downhill. Aside from Fang, Angel is one of the other characters I'm intrigued by, so I picked this book up at the local Border's store (which is now gone) and will add it to my school's library collection after I'm done.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Another YA book that I picked up. I've heard a lot of conversations bout this book over the blogging world, so figured I should read it to see what it's all about before I add it to our collection.
Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
I won this book off of Library Love Fest and I'm excited about reading the book. The author has a quirky sense of humor (you should see her video about the book) and I hope it reflects in her writing.
Smokin' Six-Shooter by B.J. Daniels
I received this one for free from Harlequin through their Ambassadors program. Once again, there's a cowboy theme, so I'm interested in reading more about this "Smokin' Six-Shooter."
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
I recently ordered this book because I LOVE Jenny's humor in he writing. Anyone that can make me laugh so hard I almost shoot water out my nose while reading is a "keeper" in my book. She normally writes YA lit, but on occasion she ventures into the adult world and writes chic-lit. Can't wait to see this one in my mailbox!
The rest of this list are the book on this year's Florida Teens Read list that I haven't read yet. Most of the books sound pretty good, but there are so many other books that want to read--many of which have been sitting on my shelves forever, that I keep putting these off:
Brutal by Michael Harmon
Candor by Pam Bachorz
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriquez by Alan Lawrence Sitomer
Willow by Julia Hoban
Of course my list will probably completely change (except for the books I'm reading to review), so don't be too surprised if in June you see something different.
If you're interested in joining, here's a link you'll want to check out. Please let me know if you've signed up as I always love to read with friends. Now, go create your list and Happy Reading!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Happy Birthday Madison!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fabulous Friday!
Heeeellloooooo Friday! Where have you been all week? I've missed you terribly, but I'm REALLY glad you're here now. As a tribute to how my week has gone, here's Francesca Battistelli's song This Is the Stuff from You Tube....
As a tribute to my friend Barb who is going home from the hospital today, here's a song just for her. Barb--you are a true survivor! The big "C" is no match for you! You will survive this and be a light to everyone else who will go through it. You're a Survivor and I love you!
As a tribute to my friend Barb who is going home from the hospital today, here's a song just for her. Barb--you are a true survivor! The big "C" is no match for you! You will survive this and be a light to everyone else who will go through it. You're a Survivor and I love you!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
In the Shadow of Evil by Robin Caroll
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Caroll is a leading Christian suspense novelist. She gives back to the writing community as conference director for the American Christian Fiction Writers organization. A proud southerner through and through, Robin lives with her husband and three daughters in Arkansas.
Visit the author's website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Informed by the real-life fallout of the U.S. economy and devastation caused by multiple hurricanes along the southern coast, In the Shadow of Evil tells a modern day story involving the exposure of a building rebound scam. Amidst the layers of unethical practices, supply shortages, and excess murders, a top Louisiana homicide detective loses his heart to a charitable contractor while uncovering a secret about his tragic past.
Product Details:
List Price: $14.98
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805449795
ISBN-13: 978-0805449792
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Prologue
Eighteen Years Earlier
What a night!
Maddox turned his car into the residential area and glanced at the digital display on the dash—12:28. Great, late for curfew. He smiled. Being late was worth it when he’d had a hot date with Julie Cordon. Man, the girl was something else. Beautiful, sexy, and funny. Just being with her made him feel special. Made him forget lots of things, including time.
Besides, he was seventeen. Curfews were for kids! A senior in high school, and he had to be home by midnight? All his Pop’s doing.
Tyson Bishop…Mr. Air Force man, determined to force the entire family to live by rules and regulations.
But his dad was over foreign soil right now, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Mom understood better, wasn’t quite the stickler about curfews like his dad. Good thing, too. Maddox was almost thirty minutes late tonight. Pop would blow his top and ground him for at least a month. Probably take away his car. But not Mom. She’d just caution him to pay closer attention to the time. Launch into the whole spiel about responsibility and accountability. He could recite it from memory.
Maddox whipped into the driveway and pressed the garage door opener. The light from the kitchen door spilled into the garage. Mom would be up…waiting. He should’ve called.
But being around Julie was like being caught in a time warp. Even the car’s interior held her smell. Light, flowery…teasing and tempting.
He killed the engine and jogged up the steps, slipping his charming smile into place. His mom had never been able to stay mad or disappointed when he flashed his dimples at her. He’d promise to mow the grass tomorrow before Pop got home, and she’d forget all about his tardiness.
He shut the garage door behind him and entered the kitchen. “Mom? I’m home.” The hint of roast lingered in the air.
The house was as silent as a tomb.
Odd. She would normally be on her feet to meet him.
He passed the kitchen’s butcher-block island and continued into the living room. A soft light filled the space beside her reading chair, but no sign of her.
“Mom?”
Maddox backtracked to the kitchen. Maybe she was in the downstairs bathroom.
“Hello?” His voice rose an octave as his pulse hammered. The bathroom door was wide open, the room dark.
Where was she?
His steps faltered as he pressed into the kitchen again. The backdoor stood open, the glass pane closest to the knob—shattered. His heart jumped into his throat.
“Mom!”
Using the agility that had garnered him the wide receiver place on the varsity football team, Maddox flew down the hall toward his parents’ bedroom. He pushed open the door with shaking hands.
His mother lay sprawled on the floor, a pool of blood staining the carpet around her. Her face pale against the dark red spilling from her chest. A metallic odor permeated the room.
What? He blinked repeatedly, his mind not processing what his eyes saw. Then…he did. And nearly vomited.
He raced to her side, lifting her head into his lap. “Mom.” Tears backed up in his eyes as he smoothed her hair.
“Mad-dy,” she croaked.
He grabbed the phone from the nightstand, the base landing on the floor with a resounding thud. He grabbed the receiver and punched in 9-1-1.
“Hang on, Mom. I’m calling for help.” Every nerve in his body stood at high alert.
“Too. Late.” She grimaced. A gurgling seeped from between her lips. Her body went slack in his arms.
“911, what is the nature of your emergency?”
He closed his eyes. Fought back scalding tears. “My mother. She’s been murdered.”
Eighteen Years Earlier
What a night!
Maddox turned his car into the residential area and glanced at the digital display on the dash—12:28. Great, late for curfew. He smiled. Being late was worth it when he’d had a hot date with Julie Cordon. Man, the girl was something else. Beautiful, sexy, and funny. Just being with her made him feel special. Made him forget lots of things, including time.
Besides, he was seventeen. Curfews were for kids! A senior in high school, and he had to be home by midnight? All his Pop’s doing.
Tyson Bishop…Mr. Air Force man, determined to force the entire family to live by rules and regulations.
But his dad was over foreign soil right now, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Mom understood better, wasn’t quite the stickler about curfews like his dad. Good thing, too. Maddox was almost thirty minutes late tonight. Pop would blow his top and ground him for at least a month. Probably take away his car. But not Mom. She’d just caution him to pay closer attention to the time. Launch into the whole spiel about responsibility and accountability. He could recite it from memory.
Maddox whipped into the driveway and pressed the garage door opener. The light from the kitchen door spilled into the garage. Mom would be up…waiting. He should’ve called.
But being around Julie was like being caught in a time warp. Even the car’s interior held her smell. Light, flowery…teasing and tempting.
He killed the engine and jogged up the steps, slipping his charming smile into place. His mom had never been able to stay mad or disappointed when he flashed his dimples at her. He’d promise to mow the grass tomorrow before Pop got home, and she’d forget all about his tardiness.
He shut the garage door behind him and entered the kitchen. “Mom? I’m home.” The hint of roast lingered in the air.
The house was as silent as a tomb.
Odd. She would normally be on her feet to meet him.
He passed the kitchen’s butcher-block island and continued into the living room. A soft light filled the space beside her reading chair, but no sign of her.
“Mom?”
Maddox backtracked to the kitchen. Maybe she was in the downstairs bathroom.
“Hello?” His voice rose an octave as his pulse hammered. The bathroom door was wide open, the room dark.
Where was she?
His steps faltered as he pressed into the kitchen again. The backdoor stood open, the glass pane closest to the knob—shattered. His heart jumped into his throat.
“Mom!”
Using the agility that had garnered him the wide receiver place on the varsity football team, Maddox flew down the hall toward his parents’ bedroom. He pushed open the door with shaking hands.
His mother lay sprawled on the floor, a pool of blood staining the carpet around her. Her face pale against the dark red spilling from her chest. A metallic odor permeated the room.
What? He blinked repeatedly, his mind not processing what his eyes saw. Then…he did. And nearly vomited.
He raced to her side, lifting her head into his lap. “Mom.” Tears backed up in his eyes as he smoothed her hair.
“Mad-dy,” she croaked.
He grabbed the phone from the nightstand, the base landing on the floor with a resounding thud. He grabbed the receiver and punched in 9-1-1.
“Hang on, Mom. I’m calling for help.” Every nerve in his body stood at high alert.
“Too. Late.” She grimaced. A gurgling seeped from between her lips. Her body went slack in his arms.
“911, what is the nature of your emergency?”
He closed his eyes. Fought back scalding tears. “My mother. She’s been murdered.”
Dynamic Uno here: Wow! I just finished reading In the Shadow of Evil and I'm still processing it. I really enjoyed this novel because it is a high-paced thriller with a touch of romance. It was nice to see the two lead characters overcome their stubbornness and work together to help solve the crimes. Another neat thing is that the author included the "Roman's Road" path to salvation, but it wasn't like she was cramming it down people's throats. It was cleverly tied into the plot so that non-Christians wouldn't question why it was there.
Happily, I didn't guess "who did it" until about the same time as the characters, which gives this book very high ratings. (I HATE figuring things out early and having to wait.) I'm really glad I read In the Shadow of Evil and I know that others will enjoy it too.
After finishing the book, I flipped it over and noticed Ms. Caroll has two other books in this series. (And to think I thought this was a stand-alone novel when I requested it.) The good news is that I didn't feel like I was missing anything by reading this book before any of the others. In case you do want to read them, they are: Fear No Evil and Deliver Us From Evil.
Let me know what you think! Happy Reading!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
You Tube Tuesday
Happy March! Our students are taking the writing portion of the state mandated testing (FCAT), so I'll be bored to tears today. If you're stuck proctoring students like I am, or just feel trapped in your job, here's something to at least get your day jumping...
Boomin' by Toby Mac
Catch you on the flip side.
Boomin' by Toby Mac
Catch you on the flip side.
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